Machine for automatically preparing and vending liquid foods



J. H. KNAPP MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING AND VENDING LIQUID FOODS 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 15, 1951 Filed Dec 17 1947 INVENTOR. Joseph /7. /7d fl 0 ATTOR Y.

M y 1951 J. H. KNAPP MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING I AND VENDING LIQUID FOODS Flled Dec 17 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. Jase 0h flA xm a a BY; A T79] May 15, 1951 J. H. KNAPP 2,552,856

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRE ms AND VENDING LIQUID FOOD Filed Dec. 17, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 I a I a, 'I 4*, z

1N VENTOR.

Jose ah #17740,

,3 ATTO NEY.

May 15, 1951 J. H. KNAPP MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING AND VENDING LIQUID FOODS Filed Dec. 17, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 a9 k \m N A90 1 A76 /4 /90 w w M w I m A2? //6 w w M? 06 //a w //0 w a W v2 I II II l.

I 1 J 02 1 i I I -/4' 66 s x W 40 MI IN VENTOR.

" A TOR EY.

J. H. KNAPP MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING AND VENDING LIQUID FOODS May 15, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 1'7, 194'? H. MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING May 15, 1951 J. KNAPP AND VENDING LIQUID FOODS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 INVENTOR. dose ah M M740,

MayJS, 1951 J. H. KNAPP I MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING AND VENDING LIQUID FOODS 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 May 15, 1951 J. H. KNAPP 2,552,856

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING AND VENDING LIQUID FOODS Filed Dec. 17, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 May 15, 1951 J. H. KNAPP MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPARING AND VENDING LIQUID FOODS 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 HVVENTUR. Jase 0k MM/fi Patented May 15, 1951 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREPAR- IN G AND VENDING LIQUID FOODS Joseph H. Knapp, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to 0. Earl Hovey, Kansas City, Mo., trustee Application December 17, 1947, Serial No. 792,236

3 Claims.

and sugar, all automatically upon proper selection and correct deposit of a coin by the said purchaser.

This is a continuation in part of my co-pending application for U. S. Letters Patent covering Hot Drink Maker and Vending Machine, filed February 28, 1945, and bearing Serial No. 580,253, and has for its most important object to provide a machine of such character that is more efficient in its operation, less expensive to manufacture, devoid of a multiplicity of complicated and unnecessary parts, and relatively simple in operation as well as maintenance.

An important object of this invention is the provision of a hot coffee making machine utilizing ingredients in the nature of small pellets, including coffee, sugar and cream and having a novel dispensing assembly capable of continually feeding such selected pellets until a large supply thereof is exhausted.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a hot coffee making and vending machine having a pellet dispensing assembly constituting a number of rotatable drums, there being a drum for the coffee, sugar and cream pellets, each having a plurality of open bottom cylinders for the pellets and movable successively to a discharge opening and feeding mechanism as the drum is caused to rotate.

A further object of this invention lies in the provision of a hot coffee maker having a cup feeding apparatus operable to dispense cups singly for receiving the pellets, said apparatus controlling the entire machine, 1. e. the exhausting of the cup supply automatically rendering the entire machine inoperable.

A still further object is to provide a drink machine wherein a supply of cups is replenished as each group thereof becomes exhausted by operating the cup dispenser to move another group of cups into a feeding position until all groups thereof have been used.

Another aim is to provide in a hot coffee making machine having a cup, spoon, ingredient, and hot liquid dispenser, means for causing the machine to operate in predetermined sequence each time a coin is deposited whereby a cup and spoon are fed and the ingredients and hot liquid discharged into the cup during each cycle of operation.

Another novel feature of this invention lies in a special formed crusher for the dispensed pellets, said crusher being operable to grind and crush the pellets into a finely powdered form prior to movement thereof into a cup.

In furtherance of the aforesaid feature of providing a crusher for the pellets, another very important object lies in the way the hot water is directed into the crusher for admixing with and flushing out the powdered ingredients, and still further in the way the crusher is sterilized after each use by an additional flushing thereof by a discharge of hot water.

Other important objects of this invention include the precise construction of the ingredient dispenser, the cup dispenser and the crusher; the way in which the ingredient assembly is maintained in a dry condition; the manner in which steam from the flowing hot water and from the poured drink is handled; the way in which the cabinet is made virtually verminproof; the way in which weights are used as the sole power for actuating the cup and the ingredient dispenser; and details of construction and assembly of all units generally whereby to house i the same in a relatively small, compact and attractive cabinet.

Many additional aims, objects and novel features will be made clear during the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a hot coffee making machine made in accordance with my present invention, part of the cabinet door being broken away to reveal interior construction.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, the cabinet being broken away to reveal details of construction.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the ingredient dispenser, the top of the cabinet being entirely removed and various parts being broken away for clearness.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the ingredient dispenser, parts being broken away and other parts being in section to reveal details of construction.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line VV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detailed plan view of a switch actuating assembly operable by the ingredient feeding mechanism.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the ingredient feeding mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on line VIII-V111 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the ingredient feeding mechanism showing a part of the pellet crusher.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the pellet crusher, per se, parts being broken away for clearness.

boiler 20 shown more clearly in Fig. 2. ingly, this specification will hereinafter be sub- 'a' circle to present rotatable drums.

-suitably bonded together.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on irregular line EGXI of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the normally innermost face of the rotor showing the same entirely removed from the crusher.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, detailed view taken on line XIIIX1II of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of the cup dispenser per se.

Fig. 15 is a vertical, substantially central cross-sectional view taken through the dispenser shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the cup dispenser, parts being broken away for clearness.

Fig 1'7 is an inverted plan view thereof.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary, detailed view of the weight apparatus entirely removed from the cup dispenser, parts being in section.

Fig. 19 is a detailed view taken on line XIX-XIX of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary, detailed view taken on line XXXX of Fig. 1'7 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 21 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the electrical apparatus constituting a portion of the hot coffee making machine.

Designated broadly, the hot coffee making and dispensing machine about to be described,

comprises a cabinet It having mounted therein a cup dispenser I2, an ingredient dispensing assembly E4, a spoon discharge mechanism it, a crusher 3 (all shown in Fig. 1), and a hot water Accorddivided in that manner, with a final complete description of operation and inter-relation of parts.

Ingredient dispensing assembly As clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, the cabinet l0 has suitably mounted therein a closed chamber 22 provided with a door 24, mounted "on a hinge 2t and having interlocking structure '28 to provide a tightly sealed space for the ingredient dispensing assembly M.

Referring now to Fig. 4, a plate 36 forms the bottom of the chamber 22, and a bearing 32 mounted on the uppermost face of the plate 38,

the drums includes an upper and lower framerespectively.

The cofiee drum comprises a disc iil, secured at its center directly to the shaft 3% adjacent the bearing 32 by a set screw 62. The marginal edge of this disc 40 has a number of openings it formed therein and disposed in a circle as shown in Fig. 3. These openings '45 are shouldered as at 4 5 to receive the lowermost open end of a like number of cylinders 63. The cylinders G8 are all vertically disposed and designed to recive a lpiurality of relatively small, spherical pellets 59 preformed from coffee granules A stainless steel panel 52 on the uppermost face of the plate 33 receives the lowermost of the pellets 56 in the cylinders 48.

At the uppermost end of the cylinders 48 and Each of work member, there being three of such drums "illustrated for sugar, cream and coffee pellets most ring i t2.

secured to the shaft 34 intermediate its ends by a set screw 54 is another disc 56. This disc 56 has a number of cups 58 arranged in a circle and evenly spaced throughout its marginal edge. The bottom of said cups 58 are open as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and are shouldered as at 6!! to receive an external flange 62 of a plug 64, loosely and removably inserted in the cups 58. These plugs 64 extend downwardly below the cups 58 to receive the uppermost open ends of the cylinders 48.

The center rotatable drum has a number of vertical cylinders 56 similar to the cylinders 38 for cream pellets 68 (formed by any well known process of dehydration). And, the outermost drum, disposed concentrically with the two innermost drums and with the shaft 34 has a number of cylinders '52 for sugar pellets 72.

The cylinders (it are supported at the lower most ends thereof by a ring formed with a number of shouldered openings in the same manner as the disc to. This ring W completely circumscribes the disc and rotates upon a numher of ball bearings 15 disposed within notches "58 in the marginal edge of the disc 42} between opening it thereof. The depth of the notches i8 is slightly less than the diameter of the ball bearings the latter of which rest and roll on the panel 52.

A hearing the shaft 3 3 immediately above the disc receives a sleeve 82 freely rotatable on the shaft 34. This sleeve 32 extends upwardly, terminating near'the uppermost end of the shaft 34, and has a stepped, outwardly and downwardly extending flange 84 thereon near its lowermost end. One step of the flange 84 receives a bearing 85 which encircles the sleeve 82, while another step thereof carries a disc 83 to which it is fastened by screws as at 89. Still another portion of the flange 84 circun'lscribesv the bearing 36 as shown in Fig. 4.

The rnaitinal edge of the disc 88 is formed precisely the same as the disc '56 with cups s2 and plugs $25 for holding the upper ends of the cylinders 66. A number of pins 86 disposed adjacent certain of the cylinders 6E join together tie disc 83 and the ring it to maintain the cylinders parallel. and perpendicular to the panel -32. Thus, the entire center drum for the cream pellets is suspended from the sleeve '82 which in turn is supported by the bearing 8f; supported by the shaft '34.

The ring E has notches 98 and ball bearings its similar to notches Iii and ball bearings it respectively the disc for receiving an outer- This ring m2 is much the same as the ring id for receiving the sugar cylinders it. The ring it? rides on ball bearings ifi disposed in a race H26 formed in the plate 33 and the panel .52 as shown in Fig. 4.

The uppermost support for the cylinders 18 constitutes a disc ass formed at its outermost edge discs 56 and 823 to receive plugs H0. This disc i-EEB has a hub H2 circumscribing the bearing 86 and overlapping the upper edge of bearing :55 for support thereby.

Rotation of the three drums just described for cylinders 43, 68 and iii respectively, is accomplished through use of three sheaves numbered i M, 1 5:6 and E It. Underlying each of the sheaves fi l and HE is a plate E26 and 22 respectively, while the sheave H8 is provided with a flange i2 5 therebelow which forms a part of the disc H8. The plate 215 is affixed directly to the shaft J4 by a set screw are. The plate 322 circumscribes a the sleeve 82 and is keyed thereto as at I28 as Well as resting on the bearing 86 as shown.

Each of the sheaves H4, H6 and H8 has an opening I38 formed therein for receiving a downturned leg I32 of a spring loaded dog I34, pivotally secured to the uppermost faces of the respective sheaves H4, H6 and H8. This leg I32 of the dogs I34 is received by notches I36 formed in each ofthe plates I28 and I22 and in the flange I24 of the disc I88.

When the dogs I34 are thus engaged with the respective notches I36, it is clear that each of the plates I28 and I22 will rotate with the respective sheaves H4 and H6 and that the flange I24 and its disc I98 will rotate with the sheave IIB. Therefore, rotation of sheave I I4 will in turn rotate its plate I20, the shaft 34 and the discs 58 and 48, to move the cylinders 48 through a circular path of travel.

Rotation of the sheave HIS will cause rotation of the cylinders 65 by rotation of the plate I22 'disc I88 will also rotate when its dog I34 is engaged with the notches I35 in the flange I24. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, both the disc i833 and the ring I 82 have gear teeth I38 and I48 respectively, formed on the outermost edges thereof. A vertical shaft I42, journalled in suitable bearings (not shown), carries a pinion I44 at the bottom thereof in mesh with teeth I48 of ring I92 and a second pinion I48 in mesh with teeth I38 on disc I98. Such construction maintains the cylinders 18 vertical as the ring I82 is rotated by the disc I88 through the shaft I42.

Driving mechanism for ingredient dispensing assembly As clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, each of the sheaves H4, H6 and H8 has a groove I48, lot

and I52 respectively formed therein for receiving cables I54, I55 and IEB. These cables each have one end thereoi fixed to the respective sheaves H4, H6 and H8 and their opposite ends tied to a weight (not shown) after passing over a pulley (not shown). There is a weight and pulley for each cable, both being mounted within tubes 58% shown in Fig. 3. For purposes of condensing all the parts of the ingredient dispensing assembly in a relatively small space, the tube for sheave II4 is disposed to tend to rotate shaft 34 in the opposite direction of rotation of sheaves IIG and H8. I

Means for controlling rotation of the sheaves I I4, I It and I I8 due to pull exerted thereupon. by the aforesaid weights attached tocables I54, I58 and I58 is shown in Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale in Fig. 3 and partially detailed in Fig. 5. Solenoids I62, I64 and I65 are provided for sheaves H4, H5 and H8 respectively. Interconnection between these solenoids and the respective sheaves is substantially the same; therefore, only one will be explained.

As shown in Fig. 5, three spaced apart elongated bars I58, I18 and I12 are secured in depending relation to the lowermost face of the top wall 38 of the chamber 38 by a pair of bolts I14,

said bolts I14 having spacers I16 thereon for holding the bars I 68, I38 and I12 in said spaced relation.

A pin I18 depends from each of the bars I98, I18 and I12 and each of the pins I18 carries a bushing I80, which in turn has a pawl I82 secured thereto by press fit mounting. It is clear that the pawls E82 are freely pivoted on. the respective pins I18 by virtue of the bushings I 89, said pins having a head I88 for holding the pawls I82 and the bushings I88 in place.

The pawls I82 are substantially T-shaped as shown in Fig. 3, two legs thereof extending in opposite directions radially from the pin I18 and terminating in down-turned ears I84 and I85. The third leg of the pawls I82, pivotally connect at the outermost end thereof with a link I 36 which in turn has pivotal connection with a spring-loaded core I88 of the respective solenoids I62, I54 and I86.

Referring now to the uppermost pawl I82 which has connection as above described with the solenoid I 62, it is clear in Fig. 3 that when the solenoid I62 is de-energized as shown, the ear I84 of the pawl I82 will be in engagement with one of a plurality of teeth I so formed on the sheave H4. The sheaves H4, H6 and H8 all have these teeth I98 formed thereon throughout their peripheral edges and extending outwardly from the respective grooves I48, I59 and I 52 formed therein.

When the solenoid I52 is energized to move its core I 88 inwardly, the uppermost pawl I82 will be caused to swing on its pin I18 to move the downturned ear I82 out of engagement with one of the teeth I88. Such movement of this pawl I82 will move the ear I85 in the path of travel of a tooth I98 next in advance to the tooth being held by the ear I84. Release of the sheave II4 will cause the same to be rotated in the direction shown by arrow in Fig. 3 by virtue of the cable I54 and weight afiixed thereto. De-energization of the solenoid I62 Will release ear I 85 and move ear I84 into the path of travel of the teeth I98.

It is clear from the foregoing that step-bystep movement of the sheaves H4, III; and H8 is controlled by the solenoids I 92, I94 and I 56, and that each step constitutes two distinct opera.- tions. In other words, the sheaves H4, i| I6 and H8 will rotate approximately half the distance of each step on energization of the respective solenoids I62, I64 and I65 and. the other half on de-energization of such solenoids. It is to be noted that the angularity oi the teeth Hit of the sheave I I4 is opposite to that of the teeth I99 of each of the sheaves H8 and H3 because of the opposite directions of rotation as above described. I

Ingredient feeder and control for driving mechanism of ingredient dispensing assembly Discharge of the pellets and 72 from their respective cylinders 48, 8E and it and control of the solenoids I52, I84 and I58 are accomplished by structure shown in detail in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. This structure is the same for each of the cylinders 48, 58 and 1! There are three discharge openings I92 formed in the panel 52 and the plate 39, disposed in underlying relationship and within the path of travel of the respective cylinders 48, 66 and 18. Each of these discharge openings I92 has cylindrical lining I96 therein extending a distance below the plate 38 as is clear in Figs. '7 and 8.

Depending from and secured to the lowermost face of the plate 39 is a pair of spaced apart brackets I96, which brackets I96 in turn have an underlying solenoid secured thereto by screws or the like I98. There are three of these sole- 7 noids, designated 258, 262 and 264 for pellets T2, 68 and s respectively.

The brackets I96 are provided with opposed internal shoulders 22% for receiving a slide 298, this slide being U-shaped in cross-section, and the legs m thereof resting directly on such shoulders 21%.

The slide 298 has a down-turned flange 2E2 integral therewith for receiving the outermost end of a spring-loaded core 2H for each of the solenoids 26B, 292 and 2%. An open top and open bottom cup 2H3 is formed in each of the slides 288 near one end thereof opposite to the flange 2l2, these cups 2H3 extending below the slide 2&3 and being normally in alignment with the discharge opening @922. A plate 2 lil underlies the open bottom of the cup 236 when the slide 228 is in the normal position shown in Fig. 8, and has a resilient bumper 223 engageable by the cup 256 when the latter is moved to the position underlying the discharge opening i2 by the action of the spring on the core 22 Three electric switches 222 having arms 224 are secured to the lowermost face of the plate 3% in depressions 226 formed in plate til as shown in Fig. 6. These arms 222 are disposed in the path of travel of an up-turned flange 228 formed on one end of a plunger 2%. This plunger 23b is disposed within a slot 232 formed in the plate,

as and is slidable on a bracket 2% underlying the slot 232 and secured to the plate 36 and the brackets [95.

The bracket 23% and the plunger 23% have normally aligned and registering slots 236 and 238 respectively formed therein and the plunger 236 has an additional slot 2% disposed near one end thereof opposite to flange 232, there being a second up-turned flange 242 on this said one end of the plunger 230.

A pin 24 secured to the uppermost face of the slide 283 extends upwardly through the slots 23% and 238, and a pin 246 secured to the bracket 232 passes upwardly through the slot 249 in the plunger 238. A spring 248 joining the pin 2% and the flange 228 of the plunger 239 tends to slide the plunger 23s on the bracket 23% and within the slot 232 toward the pellet 68 within the discharge opening !92. The slot 232 is placed in register with the discharge opening 92 through an opening zse formed in the liner EM.

When the solenoid 232 is de-energized as shown in Fig. 8, the pin 2% will be in engagementwith one end of the slot 238 to hold the spring 2:38

loaded and to maintain the flange 2 52 out of discharge opening I32, permitting free movement of the pellets 68 from the cylinder 86 through the liner ES and into the cup 2H5.

-When the solenoid 262 is energized, core 2H4 will move inwardly to shift the slide 2&8 to a position where the cup 2E6 will be beyond the plate 218, the lowermost pellet 68 thereby falling to a point of use (hereinafter more fully described). The uppermost face of the slide 208 will move to underlying engagement with the remaining pellets 8%! and prevent further discharge of such pellets 68 until the cup 2 6 is returned to the position shown in Fig. 8.

Such movement of the slide 268 will cause the pin 2% to slide in slots 235 and 238, and the spring 258 will slide the plunger 23% until the flange 262 contacts one of the remaining pellets 68 in the discharge opening I92. In the event however, that the discharge pellet 68 is the last of the pellets 58 emanating from the cylinder 65, then the plunger 230 will be moved to a position where the flange 242 is within the liner 194. Such full movement of the plunger239 will move the flange 228 to a position en a ing the switch arm 22% and actuating the switch 222.

The three switches 222 are normally open and are interposed in an electrical circuit supplying energy to the respective solenoids I62, I64 and 156. Such electrical connections will hereinafter be described when referring to Fig. 21. Closing of such switches 222 will, therefore, cause energization of the appropriate solenoid I62, [M or N36 to permit rotation of the cylinders 48, 66 ,or "El and thereby move the next successive full cylinder over the discharge opening [921:0 replace the pellet Ell, 68 or F2 as the case may be.

The liner its has a cut-away portion 252 formed therein as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In the event a broken pellet 68 falls into the cup 2 i 6, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 8, then the next full pellet 68 next above such broken pellet will be free for feeding therewith when the slide 208 is actuated. Otherwise a broken pellet would cause sheaving of all successive pellets 58 until the entire cylinder 65 becomes empty. 7

Cup dispenser Suitably mounted within the cabinet I0 is a compartment defined by a circular shell 254 held in spaced relationship to an upper wall 256 and a lower wall 253 by rods 259 secured to such walls 25% and 253 and to the shell 254 by straps 2653.

Extending upwardly through the bottom wall 258 is a post 262 held in place by bolts 264 and provided with a central bore to rotatably receive a short shaft 266. Resting upon the uppermost end of the shaft 256 and secured thereto is a plate 268 and a ring 210 contoured to receive a loop 272 and the lowermost end of an inner shell Zl i fastened to the loop 272.

The ring 22!] has mounted therein and extending below its lowermost edge, a drum 2l6 provided with an outturned flange 2'53 received by a circular groove 28!) formed in the uppermost face of the wall 258. A shelf 282 is mounted on the drum 2'16 for receiving stacks of cups 23s extending upwardly into the shell 254.

Partition structure for the stacks of cups 284 is interposed between the shells 254 and 2'15 and secured to the latter. This structure comprise a single sheet of material bent as shown in Figs. 15 and 16 to conform to the contour of substantially half of the cups 283. Thus, a number of elon gated, vertical stalls 286 which are arcuate in cross-section, are presented for receiving the stacks of cups 282. These stalls 23E cooperate with the inner face of the shell 25 in holding the cups 284 in stacked relation and are continuous throughout the outer face of the shell 2'14. It is contemplated that a number of vertical rods may be utilized to supplant this type of partition, if desired, to decrease weight and expense of manufacture without hampering the function thereof. It is to be noted that the outermost face of the ring 27! is also arcuately contoured to receive the lower portion of the stacks of cups 234.

The shell 214 has a top 288 provided with a bearing 29! receiving a pin 292 depending from the wall 256. Keyed to the shaft 256 at the lowermost end thereof is a sleeve 294 for mounting a disc 255 having teeth 2% formed thereon. This disc 296 is caused to rotate by a solenoid 398 mounted on the lowermost face of the wall 258.

An arm 302 below wall 258 extends radially from the post 262 to pivotally mount a pawl 354 9 as at 306, said pawl 304 having down-turned cars 3013 and 3lli. A bolt 3l2 slidably mounted in a bracket 314 has a spring 3H5 yieldably holding the opposite end of the bolt 3I2 against a core 3 l8 of the solenoid 303. A pin 323 pivotally interconnects the bolt 3I2 and the pawl 334.

A tube 322 extending between the walls 253 and 253 and afiixed thereto exteriorly of the shell 254 has a weight 324 therein provided with a pulley 326 at its uppermost end. A cable 323 has one end thereof fixed at the top of the tube 322 and is threaded on the pulley 323. This cable 328 then passes through an opening at the top of the tube 322, over rollers 333 and 332 near the top and bottom respectively of the tube 322 and has its opposite end coiled about the drum 216 and joined thereto.

A cam 334, mounted on the disc 2%, is disposed to contact an arm 333 of a normally closed switch 338 to open said switch 338 at the end of one complete revolution of the disc 233 for purposes hereinafter set forth.

It is clear that rotation of the shell 22% together with the partition structure 233, the shelf 282 and the stacks of cups 234 will be accomplished by virtue of the weight 324. Energization of the solenoid 333 to move its core 353 against ,the bolt 352 will release flange 333 of pawl 333 from the tooth 293 of disc 293 as shown in Fig. 17. The flange 3l3 will engage the next tooth 238 when the weight 324 causes rotation of the drum 226 and the disc 236. When the solenoid 396 is de-energized, flange 313 will be released and the flange 306 will catch the tooth just released by flange 338 completing one step in the rotational progress of the cup dispenser i3.

Such operation will cause one stack of the cups 284 to strike a cam 343 located below and to one side of the stacks of cups 234. This cam is directly above a discharge opening 332 formed in the bottom wall 258. A cup feeder 334 of conventional character is mounted on the wall 258 in register with the discharge opening 342. Ihis feeder 344 has. a number of dogs 3:33 de signed to hold a cup 284 when in one position and swingable to another position for forcing a cup into a chute 343 when in another position. A solenoid 353, having its core 352 connected to an arm 354 for driving the dogs 34B, serves as the controlling means for the feeder 344.

The solenoid 333 is interposed in an electrical circuit (hereinafter set forth) With a normally open switch 356. This switch 353 has leaf spring arm 353 held normally open by the stack of cups 284 within the discharge opening 342. When this stack has been used to a point where the top cup 283 of the stack passes below the arm 353, switch 356 will be closed to close said circuit through the solenoid 33!), thereby moving the next stack of cups 234 into feeding position. When the last stack has been used to this extent, movement of disc 283 through action of switch 353 will cause cam 334 to open the switch 338 and deenergize virtually every electrical circuit of the machine, rendering it inoperable until the cup dispenser i2 is refilled with cups 284, all as hereinafter more fully explained.

Pellet crusher 360 has a front section 352, a back section 334 and a top 363, all bolted or otherwise secured together to present a hollow chamber for receiving the pellets to be crushed and a rotatable rotor 368.

The rotor 363 has a hub 318 for receiving'a shaft 372 of an electric motor 3l4, the distance which rotor 338 extends into the housing being controlled by a set screw 333, and having a second set screw 318 serving to hold the same on shaft 372. The hub 328 passes throughan opening 333 formed in the section 33 5 of housing 3'63. The motor 374 is mounted on a bracket 332 depending from the plate 33 of the dispensing assembly Hi and has connection with housing 353 through bolts 334.

The pellets are directed into the opening 333 where the same are guided toward the center and bottom of the interior of housing 333 by a passageway 335 defined on one side by a baiile 386 extending into the housing 363 from opening 358 and disposed to overlap a portion of the rotor 358.

holding back further pellets nor be struck by the rotor 368 before the same are fully within the housing 360.

In addition to the hub 31!), rotor 353 includes a disc-shaped portion 388 having the innermost face thereof inclined inwardly toward its center. A conical boss 330 is formed at this center of the innermost face to direct the pellets radially outwardly into ribs 392. These ribs 392 are integral with the rotor 368 and triangular in cross section to present a sharp cutting edge for breaking the pellets into relatively small particles.

The section 362 of the housing3fi3 completely circumscribes the disc portion 333 of the rotor 338 with the exception only of an outlet opening 393 opposed to the opening 333. Formed in this circumscribing portion of section 362 is a groove 393. This groove 396 is a-rcuate in cross-section, commencing from a point spaced from outlet opening 394 and to the left thereof as viewed in Fig. '10 and progressively increasing in depth as the opening 364 is approached from the opposite side. In other words, the section 352 of housing 336 is relatively close to the peripheral edge of the rotor 388 at point 393 and has its maximum spacing at point 433.

The marginal edge of the disc portion 338 of rotor 363 is confined between section 332 on one side thereof and by section 334 on its opposite side, the ribs 392 being beveled outwardly as at 432 to accommodate such portion of section 332. A rib 39? is on section 362 to cooperate with ribs 392 in crushing the pellets.

A continuous out-turned flange 434 is formed on the edge of disc 388 to confine the broken pellets within the groove 3%. In furtherance of such sealing, a circular rib 436 and groove 333 on section 364 and the outermost face of disc 338; are formed for interlocking relationship as shown in Fig. 11.

It is clear that the particles of pellets broken Hot Water is directed into the housing 333 from the boiler 23 by means of a conduit 3E6.

having connection with housing 333 bya boss 442.

Such passageway 385 assures that the pellets will not become momentarily retarded ii This water will be admixed with the crushed pellets by virtue of the rotating rotor 883, the entire mixture passing, from opening 854.

A specially formed nozzle 414 is fitted into the opening 394 at an angle to the end that the dispensed drink will be directed against the side of dispensed cup 284 as shown in Fig. 1, thereby avoiding splashing and foaming in cup 284. lf his nozzle M4 is also provided with a bafile 4l8 as shown in Fig. 13 and a restricted opening 418 to prevent swirling of the drink as it passes through the nozzle 4I4 into cup 284. A heating unit 420 mounted within the housing 368 maintains the entire crusher I8 in a heated condition whereby the hot water emanating from boiler 28 will not cool before passage from the nozzle 4l4.

Electrical Operations As shown in Fig. 24 of the drawings, a heating element 438, controlled by a thermostat 432, maintains water in boiler 28 at a predetermined temperature and the circuit therefor is traced as follows:

From lead line 434 through wire 435, thermostat 432, wire 438, heating element 438, and wire 448 to lead line 442.

Lead lines 434 and 442 are connected to a automatically lock in a circuit closing position when actuated and to release any previously locked switch.

The sequence of operation of each cycle is controlled by a program switch broadly designated 455. This program switch 455 includes a motor 458 having a number of disc-like cams mounted on its shaft. These cams are designated by the numerals 458, 452, 464, 456, 458 and 418, each having associated therewith a normally open switch, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 21.

Four relays 412, 414, 418 and 418 also form a part. of the electrical phase of the vending machine. The relay 414 is energized by the coin inserted by the customer to select the drink desired. Such coin passes from the switching assembly 444 through a chute 488 and momentarily closes a switch 482 before passing to a coin box (not, shown).

A coin reject solenoid 484 has the free end of its core movable into chute 458 to deflect coins inserted after the machine starts operating into a coin return chute 485. This solenoid 484 is held normally open through the following circuit.

From lead line 434 through wires 488, 498, 482, 4,94, 485 and 458 normally closed contacts 550 of relay 414, wire 582, solenoid 484, wire 585 mor mally closed contacts 508 of relay 415, and wires 5H} and 51! to line 442.

When the coin closes switch 482 as above described, a coil 5l2 of relay 414 is energized through the following circuit:

From lead line 434 through wires 488, 485, 452 and 5M, coil 5l2, wires SIG and 518, switch 482, wires 52-5 and 522, the normally closed side of .12, switch 338 (see Fig. 17) and wire 524 to lead line 442.

Energization of relay 414 in this manner closes four contacts forming a part of relay 41 4 and numbered 525, 528, 538 and 532 and opens contacts 588.

When the contacts 534 are thus closed, lead line 442 is interconnected with a main line 534. This circuit is traced as follows:

From lead line 442 through wire 524, switch 338, wires 522 and 535, contacts 555 and wires 55S and 545 to main line 534.

Closing of contacts 525 holds relay 4'14 locked in through the following circuit:

From line 434, through wires 485, 458 and 514, coil 512, wires 5H5 and 542, contacts 525, Wire 544 normally closed contacts 545 of relay 412 and wires 548 and 548 to line 534.

With contacts 558 of relay 414 open, solenoid 484 will remain deenergized until relay 414 is again deenergized as hereinafter described, thus deflecting all subsequently inserted coins into chute 485.

Closing of contacts 528 of relay 414 will close the following circuit through motor 458 of program switch 455:

From lead line 434 through. wires 458, 485, 492, 454 and 558, motor 458, wire 552, contacts 528 and wires 553 and 554 to line 554.

As soon as motor 458 is thus energized, cam 458 will rotate to close its contacts, thereby energizing the cup dispenser solenoid 355 through the following circuit:

From lead line 434, wires 558, 558 and 555, solenoid 558, wires 552 and 554, closed contacts of cam 455 and wires 555', 558, 518', 512, 514 and 515 to line 534.

When all cups 284 are depleted from one row thereof, switch 355 is closed to energize solenoid thereby advancing the next row of cups. This circuit is traceable as follows:

From lead line 434 through wires 555, 558 and 185, closed switch 355, wire 138, solenoid 388, wires 188 and 554, closed contacts of cam 458, and wires 555, 558, 518', 512, 514 and 515 to line 554.

The cup 284'thus dispensed falls upon a platform 518 forming apart of the cabinet 18 (see Fig. 1) intercepting a beam of light passing between a photo-electric cell 588 and an eXciter lamp 582. The cell 588 is energized as soon as contacts 538 of relay 414 close through the following circuit:

From lead line 454- through wires 555, 584, 586,

558 and 588, cell 588 and wires 592 and 554 to line 534.

The circuit for lamp 582 is traced as follows:

From secondary winding of a transformer 558 through wire 598, lamp 582, wires 555 and 582, contacts 532 of relay 414, and wires 554 and 885' to said winding of transformer 595.

The primary winding of transformer 556 receives energy through the following circuit:

From lead line 454, through wires 555, 584, 585, 588 and 688, primary winding of transformer 595 and Wire 5l2 to line 534.

Interception of the beam of light between lamp 582 and cell 580 permits switch 514 to return to a closed position until cup 284 is removed by the customer as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

As motor 458 continues to operate, cam 455 will move to a position reopening its switch and the switch of cam 482' will be closed to start the pellet crusher motor 3:14

This circuit is traceable as follows:

From lead line 434 through wires 555 and BM, motor 314-, wire 6H3, closed switch of cam 462, wires 6I8, 558, 510, 512, 514 and 516 to line 534.

Next, a solenoid 525 for actuating a valve 522 (see Fig. 1) to permit flow of water from boiler 20 to crusher 18 through conduit 4H] is energized by the closing of the contacts of cam 454. This circuit is traced as follows:

From lead line 434 through wire 525, solenoid 624, wire 528, closed contacts of cam 454 and wires 53!), 515, 512, 514 and 515 to line 534.

The contacts of cam 465 close next to dispense the pellets selected by the customer upon deposit of a coin in the switching assembly 444. Assuming the customer desired black coffee, he deposited a coin in the slot so marked, thus closing switch 445. With switch 445 locked in a closed position, contact points 532 and 634 will be bridged and a coffee pellet dispensed by solenoid 255 after cam 455 moves to an operative position through the following circuit:

. From lead line 434, wires 555, 534, 535, 538 and 645, solenoid 2513, wires 542, 644, 546, 648 and 555, contact point 532, switch 445, contact point 534, wires 652, 554, I155 and 658, contact points of cam 466 and wires 565, 512, 514 and 515 to line 534.

If either switch 448, 455 or 452 is actuated by the customer, coffee pellets will likewise be dispensed through virtually the same circuit. Each switch 445, 455 and 452 has a contact point in connection with the line formed by wires 552, I354, 655 and 558 through wires 562, 554 and 565 respectively. These switches 445. 455 and 452 are also connected to the line formed by wires 85B, 548, 645 and 544 by wires 668, 615 and B12 respectively.

When switch 448 is closed, not only coffee pellets are dispensed but solenoid 252 is energized to dispense cream pellets through the following circuit:

From lead line 454, wires 554, 535, 538 and 614, solenoid 262, wires 616, 518 and 6813, switch 448, wires 562, 554, 656 and 558, closed contacts of cam 455, and wires 551. 512, 514 and 516 to line 534.

Closing of switch 452 also causes dispensing of cream pellets because of a contact point thereof being connected by a wire 582 to the line defined by wires 585 and 613, and another cor1- tact point joined by wire I355 to the line formed by wires 652, 654, 556 and 658.

Closing of switch 452 dispenses sugar pellets along with coffee pellets through the following circuit:

From lead line 434, wires 556, 584, 635 and 684, sugar feeding solenoid 2B4, wires 556, 688 and 690, switch 455, wires 664, 655, and 658, cam switch 456 and wires 56!), 512, 514, and 516 to line 534.

Switch 452, when closed, also causes dispensing of sugar pellets because of a wire 692 that is connected to a line made up of wires 691i and 688. Thus it is seen that the coffee solenoid 2GB is energized whenever switch 446, 448, 455 or 452 is closed. Closing of switches 448 and 452 will energize the cream dispensing solenoid 252, and sugar is dispensed by energizing solenoid 254 whenever switch 455 or 452 is closed. The customer thus has a selection of black cofiee, coffee and cream, black coffee and sugar or coffee I with both cream and sugar.

As above described, when either coifee, cream or; sugar pellets are depleted from a respective tube therefor, the solenoids 200, 202 and 204 respectively, operate to close a corresponding switch 222. This energizes either solenoid 152, I64 or I66, as the case may be, to move another tube of pellets into a dispensing position.

The circuit through solenoid I52 is traced as follows, assuming contact 446 to be closed:

From line 434, through wires 112, 194, 195 and 198, solenoid I52, wire 850, closed switch 222, wires 822, 644, 545, 548 and 555, points 632 and 634 of switch 445, wires 652, 554, 555 and 558, closed contacts of cam 456, and wires 55!), 512, 514, and 515 to line 534.

As shown in Fig. 21, the switches 222 actuated by solenoids 242 and 254 and the solenoids I54 and I are connected in series parallel with this circuit to replenish cream and sugar tubes respectively when either switch 445, 448, 454 or 452 is closed.

The next cam switch to be closed by motor 458 is 458. This energizes a coil 554 of relay 416 through the following circuit:

From lead line 434 through wires 485 and 65S; coil 694, wires 59-3, 105, 152 and 1534, closed switch of cam 455, and wires 155, 514 and 515 to line 534.

When relay 415 is thus energized, its. contacts 135, 145, 142 and 144 are all closed and its contacts 5511 opened. Closin of the contacts 145 looks in relay 415 through the following circuit:

From lead line 434, through wires 435 and 695, coil E94, wires 598 and 145, contacts 148, wire 148, normally closed contacts of relay 413 and wire 152 to line 534.

Simultaneously a solenoid 11.18 is energized to release a spoon through chute 1113 (see Fig. 1) into the dispensed cup 284. The spoon dispenser I5 is of conventional character and the circuit is traced as follows:

From lead line 434, through wires 555, 584, H2 and H4, solenoid 158, wire H5, closed side of a switch 1I8, wires 121i and 1114, closed con tacts of cam 453 and wires 1%, 514 and 515 to line 534.

Steam rising from the coffee in cup 284 is blown to the atmosphere by a fan 128 that is disposed to direct such steam away from the pellets within the compartment I4. This fan 128 is driven by a motor 130, the latter being energized through the following circuit:

From lead line 434, through wires 555, 524, 556 and 132, motor 135, wire 154, closed contacts 136 of relay 415 and wires 133 and 554 to line 534.

When the contacts of cam 414 close, relay 414 is deenergized through energization of relay 412. This opens the contacts 546 of relay 412 to open the holding circuit above described through contacts 525 of relay 414.

The circuit for energizing relay 412 is traced as follows:

From lead line 434, wires 455, 495 and 154, coil 156 of relay 412, wire 155, closed contacts of cam 41D, and wires 15% and 515 to line 534.

When relay 414 is thus deenergized, its contacts 528 will open to deenergize the motor 458 that operates the switching assembly 455.

The coin reject solenoid 434 will remain deenergized though contacts 551! of relay 414 are now closed because relay 415 remains energized and its contacts 558 remain open.

The lead line 442 remains connected with main line 534 regardless of opening of contacts 525 of relay 414 because of the following circuit:

From lead line 442, wire 524, normally closed switch 338, wires 522 and 152, closed contacts 142 of relay 416, and wire 154 to line 534.

The exciter lamp 582 also remains energized 15 regardless of opening of contacts 532 of relay 4'14 because of the following circuit:

From secondary winding of transformer 596, through wire 558, lamp 582, wires 699 and 196, closed contacts 144 of relay 418, and wires 169 and 696 tothe secondary winding of transformer 596.

When the customer removes the cup 384' from the platform 510, the beam of light between ex citer lamp 592 and photo-electric cell 569" will be connected, causing closing of a switch TF9- of cell 580, thus energizing relay 410'. This circuit is traced as follows:

From lead line 434 through wires (12 and 162, a coil T14 of relay 416, wire T56, switch 119 and wires I18 and 594 to line 534.

Energization of this relay 4T8 opens switch 150 thereof to deenergize relay 476, the holding circult for relay 416 through its contacts 140 thus being broken.

Closing of the contacts 508 of relay 416 will cause energization of solenoid 004 to the end that coins may pass through chute 469 to the coin box.

The fan motor 130 will be deenergized not only because of opening of contacts 136 of relay 415 but because of opening of contacts 142 which disconnects lead line 442 and main line 554.

By the same token, lamp 592 will be deenergized because of opening of contacts F44 and it; of relay 416, the contacts 142 opening to break the connection between lines 4421 and 534 to de energize the transformer 596.

When line 534 is thus deenergized, cell 589 will receive no more current and with lamp 552 also deenergized, switch 110 will open and coil 114 will return to a deenergized condition, closing con.- tacts 150.

It is to be noted that when all cups are dis pensed, switch 338 will move from the. normally closed position, making it impossible to join line 442 and 534. The machine will also not operate.

claimed as new and desired to be secured by Leta ters Patent is:

1. In a hot cofiee making machine of the character described, a pellet dispensing assembly comprising a horizontal plate having an outlet open.- ing formed therein; a plurality of open bottom, vertical cylinders for said pellets arranged in a circle above said plate; means for successively moving said cylinders to a position in alignment with said opening in the plate; and a device for feeding pellets passing through the opening singly to a point of use, said cylinders having supporting framework including an upper and a lower rotatable member, and parts interconnecting said members whereby the cylinders are maintained in said vertical position as rotative force I is applied to the uppermost member, said means including a rotatable sheave having releasable means joining the same with said uppermost member, said uppermost member having a circular plate provided with notches throughout its peripheral edge, said releasable means comprising a spring loaded dog selectively movable into one of said notches of the circular plate.

2. In a hot coffee making machine of the character described, a pellet dispensing assembly ineluding a horizontal plate having an outlet opening formed therein, a rotatable drum having a plurality of open bottom cylinders for said pellets, said cylinders being movable successively over said opening in the plate as the drum rotates whereby pellets drop by gravity from the cylinders through the outlet opening; a device including a reciprocable slide for feeding pellets passing through said opening singly to a point of use; and structure operable upon reciprocation of said slide for controlling the rotation of said drum, said drum having means for rotating the same and a solenoid controlled stepping assembly for permitting rotation of the drum in step-by-step sequence, said structure including a switch operable to close an electrical circuit through the solenoid for energizing the same, and a plunger engageable by said slide and reciprocable therewith when the outlet opening is void of pellets for actuating said switch.

3. In a hot coffee making machine of the character described, a pellet dispensing assembly including a horizontal plate having an outlet opening formed therein, a rotatable drum having a plurality of open bottom cylinders for said pellets, said cylinders being movable successively over said opening in the plate as the drum rotates whereby pellets drop by gravity from thecylinders through the outlet opening; a device including a reciprocable slide for feeding pellets passing through said opening singly to a point of use; and structure operable upon reciprocation of said slide for controlling the rotation of said drum, said drum having means for rotating the same and a solenoid controlled stepping assembly for permitting rotation of the drum in step-by-step sequence, said structure including a switch operable to close an electrical circuit through the solenoid for energizing the same,

JOSEPH KNAPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references. are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 411,123 Harigel Sept. 17, 1889 912,455 Finney Feb. 16, 1909 1,520,560 Burno Dec. 23, 1924 1,602,358 Getskay Oct. 5, 1926 1,619,883 Puket et al. Mar. 5, 1927 1,969,590 Turgill et al Aug. 7, 1932 2,019,016 lvIcLellan Oct. 29, 1935 2,100,860 Lobley Nov. 30, 1937 2,261,338 Carlson Nov. 4, 1941 2,278,013 Nicholson Mar. 31, 1942 2,334,806 Boylan Nov. 23, 1943 2,370,848 Doggett Mar. 6, 1945 2,462,019 Bowman Feb. 15, 1949 

